Some of you will recognize the title of this blog; as the Academy Award winning song form 1949, perhaps most notably performed by Dean Martin & Martina McBride -- you might also recognize it from the Christmas movie, Elf! It seems most appropriate as we find ourselves in the midst of a blast of winter cold!
A few days ago our furnace started acting up and the temperature inside dropped significantly. Fortunately we were able to have it repaired the next day and soon found we were comfortably warm again -- a blessing most, if not all of us enjoy. We have a roof over our heads, we can turn up the thermostat when it gets colder outside, we have food in the fridge and cupboard and warm clothes to wear.
Sadly that's not the case for some, right here in our own communities and across or country, particularly in larger cities. For the past few days newscasts have brought before us the plight of the homeless; stories of those unable to find shelter and stories of those seeking to help. As you have watched, perhaps like me, you have found yourself saying, 'this is not the way it should be'. Stories of human suffering and injustice and abuse have become so common place that we face a danger of becoming hardened and can easily loose site of our mandate as Christians to be agents of compassion and blessing. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Colosse to clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
You've heard me say hundreds of times, 'we have so much opportunity to do good' -- I just need to remind myself again of this truth. Paul encourages the believers in Thessalonica to always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else (1Thessalonians 5:15) and to never tire of doing what is good (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Look around friends, there may be someone who needs helping hand; who needs to see a warm smile, hear compassionate words or receive an act of kindness. It might just be a little thing, a cup of warm coffee, the offer or meal, a warm article of clothing or just an encouraging word or the sincere pray for God's blessing to rest upon them.
Gods' Word commands us: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9) We just never know how a simple act of kindness might impact the well-being of another and it might just have an eternal impact!
My friends at Valley 'be a blessing'!
A few days ago our furnace started acting up and the temperature inside dropped significantly. Fortunately we were able to have it repaired the next day and soon found we were comfortably warm again -- a blessing most, if not all of us enjoy. We have a roof over our heads, we can turn up the thermostat when it gets colder outside, we have food in the fridge and cupboard and warm clothes to wear.
Sadly that's not the case for some, right here in our own communities and across or country, particularly in larger cities. For the past few days newscasts have brought before us the plight of the homeless; stories of those unable to find shelter and stories of those seeking to help. As you have watched, perhaps like me, you have found yourself saying, 'this is not the way it should be'. Stories of human suffering and injustice and abuse have become so common place that we face a danger of becoming hardened and can easily loose site of our mandate as Christians to be agents of compassion and blessing. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Colosse to clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
You've heard me say hundreds of times, 'we have so much opportunity to do good' -- I just need to remind myself again of this truth. Paul encourages the believers in Thessalonica to always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else (1Thessalonians 5:15) and to never tire of doing what is good (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Look around friends, there may be someone who needs helping hand; who needs to see a warm smile, hear compassionate words or receive an act of kindness. It might just be a little thing, a cup of warm coffee, the offer or meal, a warm article of clothing or just an encouraging word or the sincere pray for God's blessing to rest upon them.
Gods' Word commands us: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9) We just never know how a simple act of kindness might impact the well-being of another and it might just have an eternal impact!
My friends at Valley 'be a blessing'!
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